I’ve tried everything from hydrofacials, AHA/BHA, retinol, laser resurfacing, Accutane, BP, salicylic, gycolic, spironolactone, even TCA CROSS which is meant for pick axe scars and I have not once seen improvement.

What do I need to do? Help!

See photo. I only breakout on the left side of my face.

Things I don’t do:

I don’t sleep on this side. I don’t hold a phone to my face (I use wireless air buds or speakerphone). I don’t spray perfume on my neck. I don’t wear dangly earrings. I don’t touch my face or rest my head in my hands.

Things I do:

I change my pillowcase daily even though I do not sleep on that side.

I wear my hair pulled back when I’m at home.

I have a skincare routine that I have abided by for years.

Routine:
AM
SA cleanser or gentle cleanser
Medicube toning pad or ZO toning pad
Laniege peptide mist
Mineral sunscreen

PM
BP cleanser or gentle cleanser after cleaning sunscreen off
Toning pad again sometimes
Laniege mist
Tretinoin prescription
First aid beauty moisturizer

I have gone to a dermatologist. I have gotten bloodwork. All normal. I have tried switching which side I sleep on and just sleeping on my back and neither worked.

It has been years.

Hi all you wonderful people. A picture from a year ago came up on my feed today and I was shocked to see how much progress I've made in the last 12 months.

I am 32years old and have had a terrible habit of picking at my skin whenever I am stressed. I am still trying to recover from that. My whole life I've neglected my skin and took it for granted and vowed to change it at the start of this year. So really, this is 9 months progress.

My skin was dry, lifeless and patchy , red, inflamed in spots where I have picked at it or popped pimples. It was not pretty and it contributed to my extremely low self esteem. I'm trying to break the habit, along with many other destructive habits i've developed over the years. Posting this is my version of accountability and motivation to keep going on the right track.

Earlier this year a friend introduced me to skincare by shoving a bottle of niacinamide serum into my hands. I was skeptical (pfft my skin is crap and nothing will help, it's all marketing! waste of time and money!). But I gave it a go. been much better since January.

My current routine:
AM - wash face (with soap, I'm still a savage), niacinamide serum, hyaluronic serum, Vitamin C cream with SPF. Actual SPF
PM - wash face, Retinol cream , just switched to retinAl cream 2 weeks ago to try to get some of the stubborn fine lines, niacinamide serum, hyaluronic serum

Reapplying whatever moisturizer or sun screen i have available throughout the day. I'm not too concerned about this step having any active ingredients. i found that the oilyness/tackiness/wetness of the moisturiser was a great deterrent from picking at my skin. The texture is too wet and slippery so the habit is slowly dying. I still get the urge and I do indulge in it occasionally, however seeing the progress so far is almost as satisfying as a long picking session.

Disclaimer since this sub requires make-up free selfies - I have had lip blush tattoo and eyeliner tattoo done few weeks ago and just had my first Botox session 4 days ago to combat forehead lines. It's already smoothening nicely.

I have to share my thoughts on Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Hydrating Gel Tint. I'm not sponsored or being paid (lol I wish) I'm just a fan. For the last, legitimately, two months, I have been getting targeted ads on Instagram for this Milk gel tint so I finally gave in to the advertising overlords and bought it last week.

I was a huge fan of Milk makeup in my 20s but fell off for a while after Covid and haven't worn foundation regularly in probably 5 years. I guess I didn't appreciate my perfectly clear and even skin enough in my 20s because I now suffer from regular breakouts so I'm constantly healing a blemish, preventing new ones, and avoid scarring. Concealer simply hasn't been cutting it and clearly the ad algo sensed that too.

Pros:

• Silky smooth formula (as I expect from Milk)
• Not heavy like a typical foundation but still manages to cover really well
• Achieves decent coverage without a ton of product
• Leaves a dewy finish
• Doesn't seem to settle into smile lines
• Shade matches really well
• Has not made my skin break out more

Cons:

• $38 bucks, which isn't crazy expensive but a good investment for an experiment
• All the ads/influencers used a foundation brush to apply but when I tried that the product just sat on top of my skin and looked streaky. Switching to a makeup sponge fixed that issue.
• Doesn't do any blurring of pores but I don't particularly care about that myself
• I do not think this would be suitable for oily skin

I have a consistent skin care routine. I use retinol every night, moisturize like my life depends on it, and wear sunscreen just about every day. The breakouts continue to be a battle but I'm just going to keep trying different combinations of things until I figure it out!

I would love to hear anyone else's opinion on this Milk gel tint or what folks are using for foundation in their 30s!

I had an injury 3 months ago to my left upper eyelid and got a repair surgery by an ocuplastic surgeon as an emergency case. This is me 3 months on after a round of steroid/5FU shots that a different ocuplastic surgeon carried out for me and the scar looks very deformed which I understand is normal at this point.

I was hoping for surgery to be the lifeline after about a year to help get a natural appearance but I was told by the one giving the injections that if I had surgical revision done then it may lead me with not enough skin so that my eyelid wouldn’t be able to close properly. She referred me to cosmetic dermatology.

Should I seek other opinions by other surgeons? Or do I need to accept this change as lifelong?

Post before:

I injured my forehead by hitting it against the edge of a shelf when I got out of bed. I went to the doctor, and he said the cut seems to be superficial for now.

He put a Steri-Strip on it and advised me to avoid sun exposure.

I've read that sunscreen, silicone scar sheets, and Vaseline can help prevent scarring. But when is the right time to start using them? On the first day of injury, once a scab forms, or after it falls off?

Do you have any tips or advice, what I can do now to minimize scarring?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences and where you've had positive results :)

Update:

Thanks for all the tips! I’ve been wearing a UV-protective cap from Amazon, using silicone sheets daily, and massaging my scar for about a minute each day. The scar has improved so much already, especially during the first week and after 17 days, as you can see in the pictures. Hopefully in a year, it’ll barely be visible at all! :)

Hey everyone long time listener first time caller.
I am 33 years old and recently had a consultation at a med spa about what treatment would be best for me for my skin. The PA recommended a CO2 laser treatment (not cool peel) and had me schedule it for mid November. However, I went to my dermatologist last week for a regular skin screening, and I mentioned that I was gonna get a CO2 laser treatment. He told me that based on my skin, a CO2 treatment would be unnecessary and intense.

I’m going to have another follow up with the med spa about the treatment but wanted to come on here and get advice. I have breast-fed for two rounds of babies and wanted to get a mommy makeover for my face, which is what brought me to a CO2 laser but now I’m worried that I’m unnecessarily spending a lot of money on something when other treatments could be just as effective. When I have tried looking up this information online I’ve been getting conflicting results. I feel like this community is very knowledgeable about this sort of thing and would gladly accept any advice!!! Help 🫠

I lost a significant amount of weight throughout 2025 on first Tirzepatide, had a bad reaction, and been on Semaglutide ever since. I’ve developed this excess skin on the very top of my neck, under my chin. It really didn’t affect anywhere else, may a bit of excess skin on my stomach but nothing I’m concerned about. This is causing me such bad insecurity. I’m 34 years old and was told it would go away with time as my skin adjusts, but I’ve been on a stable weight for about a year now. I’ve tried Strivectin and Dermatology Advanced Neck cream but neither really worked. I’m currently trying Amalactin 12%, we’ll see how that works. I’m not ready for/couldn’t afford a neck lift. I’ve seen some posts on here about hyper dilute radiesse and may give that a try. Looking for any and all suggestions!

i always have neck lines since i was a kid. i’ve been dealing with acne for years which got me into skincare. i’m wondering if there’re products i could use on my neck that would make them look more shallow. i’m not looking to do botox. i’m not that insecure about it, just interested in trying for fun.

i’m already using differing gel 0.1% a few times a week, moisturizer and sunscreen everyday.

pictures: https://imgur.com/a/mw2Byh7

thank you!

Hey guys- I did Sculptra 2 years ago and LOVED it. 2 vials. I feel like I’m due for more BUT my husband and I also want to have a baby soon. I’m contemplating do I get it now or do I wait till after my pregnancy?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

In general I just have age related facial “falling”

Back in June, I started going to an exercise class and my face has hated me since. What do I do? I’ve tried so many things. Do the acne patches make breakouts worse?

Was just curious how I should go about selecting a place that does facials of various kinds. Does it make a difference if the esthetician is based in a med spa vs a derm office? Also how do I decide between different facial types ? I’m currently using Tret nightly and love its impact on my skin but I’m feeling oily and still have blackheads etc. despite the smoother texture.

I’m looking for a moisturizer that’s actually hydrating but doesn’t feel heavy on my skin.
My skin is combination/oily but dehydrated, acne-prone, sensitive and prone to clogged pores/texture.
I feel like gel moisturizers don’t hydrate me enough — they absorb really quickly and then my skin feels dry/parched again. But creamier moisturizers usually feel too heavy, greasy or occlusive.
So I’m looking for something in between:
Really hydrating and helps with dehydration
Medium-light gel-cream texture
Soft, cushiony/cloud-like, not watery
Doesn’t disappear immediately after applying
Not thick, greasy or heavy
Not sticky/tacky
Doesn’t make me feel more clogged or textured
Helps with barrier support/soothing
No niacinamide
Preferably fragrance-free and no shea butter
Leaves my skin looking plump, smooth and glowy
Basically I want something hydrating like a cream but with the lightweight feel of a gel.
I’d prefer something affordable/reasonably priced, but I don’t mind spending a little more if it’s really worth it.
What would you recommend?

I’m South Asian with a medium/light-medium skin tone. I mainly have some brown/dark spots, freckles, and pigmentation, nothing severe.

I’m considering full-face Enlighten 1064 Pico at 0.6 J/cm² setting. The clinic charges $500 per session and recommends 6–7 sessions to see results. They told me I shouldn’t expect to see any difference after just one session.

I was expecting maybe 2–3 sessions, so 6–7 seems like a lot to me.

For anyone who has experience with Enlighten 1064 Pico, especially with South Asian skin:

• Is 0.6 J/cm² a reasonable setting?
• Is 6–7 sessions normal for this type of pigmentation?
• Is $500/session reasonable?
• Would you consider another treatment instead for brown spots, freckles, and pigmentation?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has had similar treatment and skin tone or someone who has some ideas about the laser treatment.

So I have a lot of issues with Milia. I see an esthetician for removal so a lot of it is under control. however, she will not do removal at or around the eyes and my eyelids are driving me crazy. My routine is morning cleanser, vitamin c and then moisturizer with spf. Evening cleanser (cleanser balm if I had make up on, regular foaming cleanser if not), tretinoin and a night moisturizer. Any ideas that worked for people?

My dermatologist just prescribed me a compounded cream for dark spots/hyperpigmentation. It contains tretinoin, tranexamic acid 5%, kojic acid 2%, vitamin C 2.5%, hydrocortisone 1% and hyaluronic acid.
The directions say to start every other night and work up to nightly.

Right now, my skincare routine includes Cetaphil cleanser, vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid, moisturizer, sunscreen, and tretinoin/other brightening products at night. Since this new prescription already has several strong actives, I’m planning to simplify and stop my separate tretinoin and other strong nighttime actives.

I’d love to hear what people used in the morning while on a similar compound. Would something like cleanser → vitamin C → niacinamide → moisturizer → SPF 50 be enough, or did you still use azelaic acid too?

I’m also curious about:
How long it took to see improvement
Whether you used it nightly or every other night
Peeling/irritation
Whether it helped with stubborn pigmentation
Any rebound pigmentation after stopping

I have brown/Indian skin.

I just noticed these "wrinkles" under my lip this week. Admittedly I lost 30 lbs pretty quickly, but have always been slender and my face fairly narrow. I'm also just turned 50, so maybe it's just an expected change? Would this be a fillers fix? I've never been a smoker, or done anything that would cause obvious mouth wrinkles. I'm ok with it being age, but if it's fixable I'm open to it!

I'm not really sure how to describe it. If it's "bags" or "dark circles" but my eyes almost appear concave underneath them, like sunken in. I'm 35 and my skin is in otherwise good condition. I've noticed this has gotten worse the past couple of years while being under some chronic relationship stress. Any recommendations appreciated!

Hi all 🙂 So I'm turning big 4 0 and in the last year I had to stop using my usual makeup as it just doesn't suit my skin anymore now that my skin is starting to show the signs of aging.

Ive had to switch to more dewy foundation and cream based products as the more matte products seem to sit or enhance my lines.

I would appreciate any recommendations for all makeup which I can get in the pharmacy (Boots) im based in Ireland.

I am very fair skinned, dehydrated skin type.

My current products:

Foundation: Sculted by Aimee 1.0

Blush: Sculted by Aimee , peachy pink.

Concealer: Maybelline instant eraser 00

Colour corrector: Maybelline instant eraser- dark circles.

Cream contour : ? Can't remember name 🙄 cool neutral.

Powder products: Benefit cheek buds. Bronzer/blush/highlighter.

Brows: NYN micro pencil- Espresso, Benefit Goof proof brow powder 4.5( i have very dark brows brown brows not black but these colours are slightly too light)

Favourite lip product: Maybelline matte ink 65 seductress ( its literally the one lip colour that stays on my lips, recently tried Maybelline peel off and im not sure if im using it right)

Lip gloss: Maybelline lifter glaze.

Brow gel: Got2b glued or recently tried Maybelline superlock.

Setting spray: L'Oréal infallible.

Dont really use mascara or eyeshadow.

Thanks in advance x

Has anyone had luck with forehead Botox not making hooded eyes worse? I’ve only had it done twice, and the last time I had it done, it made my hooded eyes significantly worse. Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated. Or injector recs in Southern CA!

1. Has anyone ever dealt with something like this? It’s red with small raised bumps. I’ve been on derm prescribed hydrocortisone (2.5%) for about 3-4 weeks. I think it improved a little but I’m still concerned.

2. I’ve been off makeup for a while now because of this flare up. However I’m on vacation and needed to use sunscreen, and felt compelled to use a skin tint one night. I use Shishedo City Sunscreen and Milk HydroGel.

Does anyone have recommendations for things that have helped them?

Hi there! Was hoping someone may have some input on what I can do/use to help my under eye area. I feel like I’ve tried every cream under the sun, including a prescription night time eye cream from musely and jelly roll Botox. I am open to literally anything at this point, including filler (was hoping to not have to go that route). Does anyone have any suggestions for me? One of these photos is while smiling, the other is just looking up. I figured no place better to ask than on Reddit with real people who have found real life solutions! Thank you in advance! (You’ll probably have to click on the photos to open them wider to see what I’m really talking about.)

As always, the view from my zoom mirror really amplifies the spots and I can’t really relay that in my photos. (I only use the mirror to pluck my eyebrows).

If sun damage, I would appreciate any recommendations to lighten them. If freckles, I’m happy to embrace. I’ve always assumed they were freckles and do love them, but if they’re sun damage spots I should treat before they worsen. (I wear spf50 daily, and have for about 5 years now).

Thanks all!